Roller hockey gave 2018 third round pick Smith his start in hockey

DALLAS, Texas -Selecting players from the United States Hockey League has worked for the Winnipeg Jets with Kyle Connor (Youngstown, 2015) and Mason Appleton (Tri-City, 2016) being just two of the names that have turned out or look like good pro prospects.
Saturday, the Jets chose Nathan Smith in the third round of the 2018 Draft, and like former Jets prospect Erik Foley (who was traded to St. Louis at the 2018 trade deadline), he played with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Smith led the team in scoring with 47 points in 51 games in 2017-18.
"He's someone that in talking to our scouts is a late bloomer type of player," said Jets General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff at the end of the draft. "He's come into the USHL, he's put up some good numbers, but we really think there is a strong development path there."

"Getting drafted into the NHL is like a dream," said Smith who stayed home to enjoy the draft with family. "It was exciting when I got called."
Smith said he had been in contact with the Jets throughout this season, and talked to them right before the draft as well. He is familiar with the team, but admitted to not knowing much about the city.
"I know obviously the Jets are a great organization," said Smith. "They had a good run this past year in the playoffs."
The 6'0" 174-pound centre from Hudson, Florida wasn't ranked in the top 100 by Future Considerations, and
HockeyProspect.com
had him 92nd on their list. It is clear from his point totals (176 points in just 45 games) during his high school years that he has some skill. Smith started playing roller hockey when he was six-years-old, and that's where he says the creative offensive side of him came from.
"I have pretty good vision I would say," explained Smith who started playing on the ice at age 11. "Just the puck movement, the puck skills and the way I see the game I would say (are my strengths)."
Smith says he play another season in Cedar Rapids and then will head to Minnesota to play for the Mavericks at Minnesota State in 2019-20. Another Jets prospect, C.J. Suess, just won the WCHA Player of the Year this spring in Mankato before signing with the Manitoba Moose for their AHL playoff drive.
Jets fans will get their first look at Smith next week in Winnipeg during development camp, which has the first ice session scheduled for Tuesday at Bell MTS Iceplex.